Forrest stops to talk transportation

Jessicah Peters/The Sun Today As a South Carolina Department of Transportation commissioner, Sun City resident Craig Forrest stops at no measure when it comes to improving state roads. He is involved in many roadway projects, including the widening of U.S. 278 and S.C. 170.

A lot of planning and work goes on behind the scenes that eventually lead to the neon orange barrels motorists see dotting the roads in Beaufort County.

Sun City Hilton Head resident Craig Forrest spent 27 years of his career in transportation and he became a South Carolina Department of Transportation Commissioner three years ago.

While commuters embrace the hectic pace of construction, Forrest deals with the paperwork and funding behind a lot of road projects in Beaufort County.

As a native of Maryland, he worked in transportation planning for more than 27 years in the Maryland Department of Transportation and then for Baltimore County. After 10 years searching for a retirement community along the East Coast, he and his wife, Peggy Forrest, moved to Sun City in July 2006.

After being involved in the different committees inside the Sun City gates, he became a board member, vice chair and chair of the Lowcountry Regional Transportation Authority (LRTA). Forrest was involved in many aspects of the organization, including working with Palmetto Breeze.

Once he heard about the opening for the SCDOT Commission, he decided to go for the position, not knowing it would become a full-time job. The commission is elected by the state senators and representatives who make up the congressional district. It is the policy-making arm of the SCDOT.

“During my three years, I’ve been involved with many road projects of the county,” Forrest said. “The challenge is saying no to someone who comes to me wanting a new traffic light or other construction project.”

After being sworn in, he turned around to shake hands with a woman from McNair law firm who handed him a request for a new traffic light on Windmill Harbor in Hilton Head.

“It was something the town, county and the state were against,” he said. “It’s hard to tell the person no, but also to discuss what the alternatives would be. Finding an option that both of us could be happy with is not an easy task.”

Bluffton Town Manager Anthony Barrett is thankful for a commissioner who helps not only the county but specifically the Bluffton community.

“There are highway commissioners and there is Commissioner Forrest. Craig Forrest’s background, experience and professionalism makes him an outstanding commissioner,” Barrett said. “He was not just appointed to the position; he lived and worked in and on highways/transportation all of his career. The state and our region is fortunate to have him. When you ask him a question he will give you a plain answer and that alone is refreshing and if does not know answer he will tell you that too. But he will follow up and get you an answer.”

Forrest said he never gives vague answers which has helped people better understand his job as commissioner. But Forrest faces other challenges being commissioner, including creating a budget.

The current transportation budget is $1.3 billion and needs an additional $1.5 billion to maintain all the roads that fall under the state highway umbrella.

“There is about a $29 billion shortfall over the years, and it’s a very daunting number to present,” he said. “Our budget really needs to be doubled, but I’m very happy with the traction we’ve gained. I will continue to address the needs.”

Forrest travels across the state discussing the needs of the SCDOT to chambers of commerce, Knights of Columbus, Rotary clubs and others who can give feedback in raising more funds. As he finishes his last year as commissioner, he doesn’t fret about the future of the SCDOT once he leaves.

“I plan to take a six-month break, get some salt and sand on me as I sit in my beach chair with a good book,” Forrest said. “Time to find out what the rest of the world is up to.”

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